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I am a reporter with a unique beat. I use my understanding of planetary cycles to provide advance notice and analysis on the Zeitgeist of the day. If you have ever wondered “why is this happening now,” my insights will transform your experience of the headlines, adding new meaning and understanding. Call it Astrology for News Junkies. If you’re curious to know why the Impossible Burger is trending…or why the outcome of the 2019 Israeli elections was likely to be a shocker …or why “Woodrow Wilson, Stud Muffin” was a New York Times headline in December 2013, you will find it here, in over a decade’s worth of historical research and reporting.
Note that I do use astrological jargon in The Forecast in my effort to show how the planetary patterns are reflected in mundane events. I explain what the jargon symbolizes, so that all who want to understand the connections between astrology and the news may do so. However, I do not use astrological jargon in personal consultations, just plain English.
Astro-logical Forecast for Friday 4/15/2011 and the Weekend: Stormy Weather
/in The ForecastHappy Tax Day! For today, more of the same discerning, perfecting Virgo energy at your disposal (see yesterday’s forecast for details) — though best put to use in the AM, especially on the West Coast. Moon goes void at 4:49PM EDT/1:49PM PDT, suggesting that things performed during that time will be of no consequence. You could consider closing up shop early and enjoying the good vibe suggested by an indulgent connection between Moon and loving Venus.
Moon enters people-pleasing Libra at 2:59AM EDT and is knocked around by the planetary heavies all day. First Uranus, then Pluto, then Mars…and by 11:17PM wet blanket Saturn may want to call the whole thing off, unless someone gets serious about something. I expect plenty of jolts in the headlines.
In your own personal world, follow the advice of this New Moon cycle and Mercury retrograde: count to ten before snapping someone’s head off. Channel the abundance of energy into something productively creative and/or physical…with the key word being “productive.” You could even go shopping productively, as there’s no Moon void during business hours all weekend.
Sunday the lunar connections are likely to foster exuberance (yay!) or exaggeration or ego-aggrandizement (boo!). We’re warming up for the Full Moon — exact at 10:44PM EDT. Sun in Aries opposed by Moon in Libra suggests a reality check in our relationships, as in getting real about expectations vs. ability to deliver on certain promises That theme is sure to play out in the news this week, and I have a hunch we’ll see more headlines concerning what some, including Senator Barbara Boxer, are calling the “War on Women.” http://stopthewaronwomen.com/boxer
A dominant pattern over the next few days (exact on Monday AM) is a fierce opposition between aggressive Mars in Aries and controlling Saturn in Libra. At its best, this aspect is determined to blast through obstacles. At its worst, it can manifest as a clash between hot and cold (stormy weather, anyone?), and frustration, especially by those subjected to someone’s militant philosophy or actions. If you need an important favor from someone, you might do better waiting a few days. Oh…and about that “stormy weather”: this Full Moon is the third Super Moon in a row, which also suggests the potential for wacky weather — consider yourself advised.
Astro-logical Forecast for Wednesday 4/13/2011
/in The ForecastWell, whaddaya know? Another day of Moon in sunny, playful, regal Leo (never mind the stormy weather here in New York). No ragged, jagged aspects to the Moon that might upset any Royal Highness, either. Enjoy the sense of balance; be patient with whatever bugaboos Mercury retrograde may toss your way, and be prepared to shift into “chill” mode when Moon goes void at 3:38PM EDT…entering meticulous Virgo at 2:40AM EDT.
Astro-logical Forecast for Thursday 4/14/2011
/in The ForecastMoon enters the discriminating sign of Virgo at 2:40AM EDT, suggesting two days of especially perfect Mercury retrograde energy. Making things perfect, precise and correct is what Virgo loves to do. Mercury retrograde suggests we REview, REpair and REorganize. REvise. Use the Moon-Mercury combo to get it right!
Whatever you choose to do today, it may have a more sensitive, intuitive or artistic flair. Why? Moon makes a connection to nebulous Neptune in the early AM (note your dreams), and Venus, planet of social expression, art, beauty and money, is running wild in the ethereal sign of Pisces. Organization turned into an art form? Why not? Enjoy the relative calm in planetary activity; there will be plenty of activity to write about over the weekend.
Astro-logical Forecast for Tuesday 4/12/2011: Benicio Del Toro
/in The ForecastNothing like Moon in sunny, playful Leo to lift our spirits today after yesterday’s looong void in security-conscious Cancer, coupled with a brutal Mars-Pluto square. And a Moon void. During Mercury retrograde. Explosive? Edgy? Weird twists? Accidents? Yes — all of the above in the headlines: a bomb in Belarus, more quakes and elevated crises in Japan, an incident at a nuclear power plant in the US, and continued bickering over resources among our fearless leaders in Washington. And from the field, several reports of feeling cranky and having to count to ten lest a co-worker’s head be bitten off. Whew!
And then…out of nowhere…this headline on the home page of the New York Times: “Benito Del Toro Impregnates Rod Stewart’s Daughter, Not That We Care About Her, But Only Who Her Father Is” http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/04/11/arts/entertainment-us-beniciodeltoro.html?hp Brutal! Dear Grey Lady, has the digital age driven you to this? How you must have held your nose whilst delicately penning this opening line, “Noted Hollywood lothario Benicio Del Toro is to become a father for the first time after a fling with one of Rod Stewart’s daughters, a spokeswoman for the actor said on Monday.” Why oh why is this front page news? Let’s consult the astrological rule book: if they’re in the news, the horoscope is hot. What’s going on with Benicio Del Toro?
Born Feb 19, 1967 in San Turce, Puerto Rico (time unknown), Del Toro has a complicated horoscope. Sun in Pisces, with Moon probably in Gemini (need to inform, entertain, be clever, intense and scintillating), and likely in a challenging configuration with Venus (social expression), Saturn (control), disruptive Uranus and emotionally intense Pluto. So we know right away there are going to be issues with the mother, which carry forward into Del Toro’s adult relationships. We also see a likely active sexual profile, one that could well fit a man described as “someone who obsessively seduces and deceives women,” i.e., a “lothario.” Concurrently we see another pattern between Venus, expansive Jupiter and nebulous Neptune that suggests great sensitivity and emotional self-sufficiency. This second pattern functions subconsciously as a defense against relationship. Why does Del Toro need to keep people at a emotional distance? When we look at events in the early home, upsets are suggested between the ages of 4-6, culminating at age 9. What happened? I don’t have an answer for ages 4-6 (though I would certainly ask him in a consultation), but at age 9, Del Toro’s mother died.
All right, but why is he making news NOW? Del Toro, yes. Nameless impregnated woman, no. We see Saturn (controls, structure, father issues) in the horoscope at 28 Pisces, on the Aries Point. Fascinating! Regular readers of this forecast will remember that planets at this point are driven to attract prominence. And you may also remember that we’ve had a number of planets, including expansive Jupiter and disruptive Uranus, trigger that point since January! And for Del Toro, those triggers affected issues in his life related to control, structure and father. And thanks to nebulous Neptune sitting on Del Toro’s Sun in Pisces now through 2012, he will likely be quite bewildered by the sudden disruption (he may win a particularly inspired role in a film, too — but that’s another area of his life).
Enjoy the day with Moon in Leo, free of challenging aspects. Eat. Play. Love. Moon goes void again at 3:58PM EDT — so if it has to ship, do it today.
Astro-logical Forecast for Monday 4/11/11: Pluto square Mars; Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera, Glenn Beck & Donald Trump
/in The ForecastWaking up Monday to the challenge of the First Quarter Moon, exact at 8:05AM EDT. Where has your willful heart taken you over the past eight days? Hopefully it has been your heart leading you — not your big, fat ego, which is always a possibility with so much me-me-me Aries energy flying around. Need to make an adjustment? Your big ideas for the next step in your strategy may not have quite the impact today because just as you realize the challenge to your agenda (that’s how First Quarter Moons function), the Moon goes void for the rest of the business day — until 11:37PM EDT. And don’t forget that Mercury is still retrograde, suggesting brilliant ideas that occur to you now may not be so brilliant upon review once Mercury turns direct. Not that the day won’t have its share of excitement and drama, though you are well-advised not to engage in ego spats and power plays. First of all, perceived slights are likely “sound and fury, signifying nothing.” But that doesn’t mean they won’t have an especially brutal charge. That’s the flavor of the potent challenge between ruthless Pluto and trigger-happy Mars I wrote about last week, exact today at 4:39PM EDT.
When Mars and Pluto square off, the effects are usually felt a few days before. Bloody, violent, explosive, brutality, news from underground — these are likely elements to be anticipated in the headlines. And over the past few days, we’ve seen violence in the most unlikely places: a deadly explosion of fireworks stored in an underground facility in Hawaii, a shooting rampage at a mall in the Netherlands that left seven people dead http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/04/11/2724s631272.htm …even the subject of the theater review published in today’s NY Times was entitled, “We’re Gonna Die” — also reviewed in the New Yorker http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/notebook/2011/04/11/110411gonb_GOAT_notebook_als More evidence of cosmic black humor: China fights back and releases its assessment of human rights violations — in the US http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/10/c_13822179.htm Brutal! On the other hand, if you’re…say…a professional athlete, you can use this intensely physical energy to your advantage…
OK, a quick look at some departing media figures, as requested by a dear Reader. Will we see a pattern here? Remember the astrological rule; if they’re making headlines, the horoscope is “hot”. For Katie Couric, soon to be leaving CBS (Jan 7, 1957 Arlington VA, time unknown): disruptive Uranus at the attention-demanding (and getting!) Aries Point making exact contact with Jupiter, ruling expansion — this suggests a big break. Connections from Saturn (structure) to Uranus (disruption) suggest change, as does a connection from nebulous Neptune (rules television, film) to Pluto (resistance is futile). Matt Lauer (12/30/57 in NY, NY) is planning to leave the TODAY show when his contract expires in December 2012 — which is perfect timing, Matt! By then ruthless Pluto will be sitting right on top your Capricorn Sun, squared by disruptive Uranus. You’ll be oh-so-ready for a big change; in fact, it’s likely you will not have a choice — so plan for it now! It’ll be interesting to compare where Matt and Meredith Viera (also born 12/30 — but in 1953 in East Providence, RI) are in 2013, because they both have their Sun at 8 degrees of Capricorn and will be experiencing those intense Pluto-Uranus transits at the same time! Why might Meredith be leaving in September of 2011 instead of 2012? How about disruptive Uranus bringing excitement and change to Meredith’s life by challenging her Mercury and Venus (two important planets in the horoscope of a TV journalist/presenter) at that attention-demanding Aries Point? And finally, Glenn Beck — also leaving his TV home — born Feb 10 1964 in Everett, WA. Would you believe: transiting Uranus challenging his Venus at the Aries Point, similar to Meredith’s horoscope; that was exact in March, when I believe Beck’s departure was first announced.
As for Donald Trump, a media figure who is not departing anytime soon: born Jun 14, 1946 at 10:54AM in Queens, NY — and acting a bit strange lately, if you follow the headlines. He’s got nebulous Neptune exactly opposing his Leo rising sign right now (you knew it was Leo, didn’t you) – suggesting puzzling behavior and confusion over one’s identity. We can look forward to more of the same from Mr. Trump all through 2011.
What’s going on in your horoscope?
P.S. — As of Feb 10, 2012, Matt Lauer is in negotiations to extend his contract. He’s now willing to stay on at Today for $30 million a year — up from his current salary of $17 million — and transiting Pluto has just conjoined his Capricorn Sun — suggesting empowerment. Transiting Uranus (sudden change based on a pressing need to assert one’s individuality) joins the pattern in June. Will NBC pony up the dough to keep the one and only Matt Lauer?